Miami Hurricanes QB D’Eriq King shows he’s ready for season in final scrimmage
Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King completed 20 passes in 26 attempts for 317 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in the final scrimmage before focusing on Alabama next week. King was competing against mostly projects reserves on Friday as reported by head coach Manny Diaz in post scrimmage video.
The scrimmage was organized in Diaz’s words with the first team on one side and everyone else on their side. King and the first team dominated the final scrimmage. All of the questions about King’s health from mostly national reporters are proving to be irrelevant as the Miami Hurricanes prepare for Alabama.
Don Chaney Jr. who is competing with Cam’Ron Harris to be the first-team running back had seven carries for 53 yards and one of the touchdown receptions from King. Harris ran eight times for 47 yards. Tight end Will Mallory added an 88-yard TD reception. The first-team defense also made several big plays.
Diaz stated that Tyrique Stevenson, D.J. Ivey, Te’Cory Couch, Bubba Bolden, Al Blades and Keshaun Washington all had interceptions on Friday. The scrimmage was referred to by Diaz as a mock game. Diaz said the defensive line was disruptive and if they were being honest there would have been a truckload of sacks.
"“Yeah the format was we kind of take the ones put them on one side and everybody else kind of goes down their side and sort of tries to schematically give us what we think we’ll see next Saturday.The main thing is all of the substitutions kicking game all the game day dynamics we try to make all that as on point as possible so we’re ready to go next weekend we saw a lot of explosive plays and a lot of disruptive play….Work all the situations on Sunday come back normal downs third down Tuesday.Wednesday…polish it up Thursday.”"
Situational downs will be critical for Miami against Alabama. Miami was 63rd nationally converting 40.63 percent of their third downs in 2020. The Hurricanes were 47th in third-down defense allowing opponents to convert 38.27 percent of their third downs. Third down needs to be better across the board against Alabama.
Next. Big plays critical for Miami against Alabama. dark
Red zone play on offense and defense and how Miami plays in short-yardage and long-yardage downs will also be important. With Louis Hedley punting and freshman, Andres Borregales at kicker Miami should have an advantage with their specialists in nearly every game this season. Big plays will be critical against Alabama.